Paperboard chairs



June 14, 1960 T. M. HOLDEN 2,940,513

PAPERBOARD CHAIRS Filed Aug. 20, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl 3 INVENTOR Thomas M Holden ATTORNEYS June 14, 1960 T. M. HOLDEN PAPERBOARD CHAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1956 INVENTOR Thomas M Holden ATTORNEYS United'States Patent PAPERBOARD CHAIRS Thomas M. Holden, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Fleming & Sons, Inc., Dallas, Team, a corporation of Texas Filed Aug. 20, 1956, Ser. No. 604,375

3 Claims. (Cl. 155191) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in paperboard chairs.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved economical, light-weight chair which may be constructed of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard,'solid fiberboard, other suitable stiff sheet material or combinations of different types of material.

Another object of the invention is to =pr0vide an improved paperboard chair of sturdy, durable construction which is capable of withstanding hard wear and which has a pleasing appearance.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard chair which is so constructed and assembled that its exterior panels may be printed with decorative designs or patterns and adjacent panels may be matched or contrasted without difliculty.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard chair which may be constructed of a minimum number of parts and which has a limited number of exposed joints whereby the appearance of the chair is enhanced and said chair has no unfinished edges which are likely to damage the clothing or injure a person using or bumping against said chair.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard chair, of the character described, wherein adjacent panels including the front and seat panels are made integral whereby the joints therebetween are smooth and finished and do not expose rough or unfinished edges which are apt to tear clothing or cut the limbs of the user.

" Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard chair, of the character described, which is of reinforced construction and which has a double-thickness or two-ply seat portion with a smooth,

unbroken exterior surface.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other fea- "tures of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of 2,940,513 Patented June 14, 1960 constructed of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard, solid fiberboard or other suitable stifi, sheet material, and includes a front section 11, a back section 12, a pair of side sections 13 and a rear section 14 which coact to provide the casing or exterior of the chair. A plurality of angular or substantially L-shaped reinforcing members or partitions 15 are provided for supporting and reinforcing the sections of the chair and are adapted to coact with transverse, rectangular brace elements or reinforcing members 16 and 17. As will be explained, the brace members 16 and 17 are adapted to be made integral with the front and rear sections 11 and 14. It is pointed out that the reinforcing members 15 may be formed of one type of material, such as corrugated paperboard, and the front, back, side and rear sections of solid fiberboard or a difierent type of material.

The construction of each reinforcing member 15 is most clearly shown in Fig. 8 and includes a lower, transverse seat portion 18 and an upstanding back portion 19. In order to provide an inclined seat and back for the chair, the seat portion 18 has a rearwardly and downwardly inclined upper margin 20 and the back portion 19 has a forwardly and downwardly inclined front margin 21. A pair of parallel, spaced notches or slots 22 extend upwardly from the lower margin of the seat portion for engagement by the brace elements 16 and 17. As shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 6, the brace elements have complementary notches or slots 23 extending downwardly from their upper margins for receiving the seat portions of the reinforcing members, whereby the slots 22 and 23 coact to permit interlocking or nesting of said reinforcing members and brace elements. It

is noted that the upper margins of the brace elements are disposed in substantially the same plane as the upper margins 26 of the seat portions 18. A notch or slot 24 extends into each back portion 19 in alinement with the upper margin 29 of the seat portion for coaeting with the rear section, while said back portion has a similar Fig. 7 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line'77 of Fig. 5, and

notch or slot 25 in its rear margin for coacting with the back and rear sections.

Each side section 13 includes an angular or L-shaped panel 26 which has seat and back portions 27 and 28 and which is identical to the reinforcing members 15 with the exception of the slots 22, 24 and 25. A pair of alined, spaced slots 29 extend longitudinally of the seat portion 27 of eachside pwel 26 in parallel, spaced relation to its rearwardly and downwardly inclined upper margin for coacting with the front section 11 (Fig. 3). A rectangular seat panel 30 is hinged to this upper margin for overlying the upper margins 28 of the seat portions 18 of the reinforcing members 15 as Well as the brace elements and has a flap 31 hinged to its outer end for engagement in slots 32 formed in the medial portions of the upper margins of said brace elements. The lower margins of the seat portions 27 have rectangular bottom panels 33.hinged thereto so as to underlie the reinforcing members and brace elements. A flap 34 is hinged to the outer end of each bottom panel 33 for engagement in a notch or slot 35' formed in the medial portions of the :lower margins of the brace elements 16 and Y17. As shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, the seat and bottom panels 31 and 33 of the said sections are of such dimensions as to completely overlie and enclose the upper and lower margins of the seat portions of the reinforcing members with the panels of one section being complementary or identical to the panels of the other side section.

The front section :11 includes a rectangular seat panel 36 adapted to overlie the seat panels 30 of the side sections 13 and having a rectangular and panel 37 hinged to its front margin and extending :in overlying :relation to the front margins of the reinforcing members 15. A

rectangular bottom panel 3.8,is" hinged to the lower mar-'- to cut and score a blank of the required size: Therefore, gin of'the end panel 37 and is interposed between the lower margins of the reinfprcing members and'the bottom panels 33'of'the side sections 13; The 'front brace ..elernent 1 6; is made integral with and hingedto the rear -mzlargin-pfihe bottompanel 38 whereby said' brace ele-.

ment formsa part of the front section 11. It is noted 2,940,513 V a a one of the side sections is made integral with the front section and the other side section is made integral with the back section; however, these sections could be formed separately and' fastened together.

. sections, a flap 54 is hinged to the front margin of the that the notch or slot {35 of the brace elementextends throughthe bottom panel38'for receiving'the flaps 34 of .thetouter or overlying bottom panels 33. The seat panel 36 is of such dimensions as to overlie the seat portions l8'and 2.7 of the reinforcing members 15 and side panels- ;26-and it$ .Iear margin terminates adjacent thenotchesor slots 24 ofsaid members. For connecting the seat panel 3610. the ,side'panels 26 and'overlying the joints therebetween, .flaps 323.116 hinged to the lateralimargins of said seat p nel andhave hinged tabs 40 for engagement in the slots 29 of said sidev panels. Preferably, the front fiends of the flaps 39 adjacent the end panel 37 are bevelled as shownyat 4-1s'o as to extend at a'downward and rear- ,ward inclination from the hinge connection between said end paneland the seat panel 36. Since thefflaps 39 'overlietheside panels, the'joints between the seat and side panels are concealed and no edges are exposed at these junctures. The back section IZjincludes rectangular; front, top

' and rear panels 42,43 and-4,4 hingedly connected and] seat portion 27 of one of the side panels 26 and is stitched, stapled or otherwisesecured. as shown at 55 to the end panel1 37 (Figs; 1 'andfi.) The rear margin of this seat portion is hinged to the back panel 51 be low the engagement of the lowenfiap49, a slot 56 being provided above said end; connection for receiving said flap. The seat panel of the other seat section has the front marginof it's seat'portion hing'ed to the opposite overlying the front, top and rear margins of the back portions 19 and 28 of the reinforcing members 15 and ,side panels 26. As shownin Figs. 2. and 5, a flap 45 ishinged to the lower. margin 'of the front panel 42 for I engagement in the notches 24 of the reinforcing members 515'. The rear panel 44 terminates intermediate the upper and lower ends of the back portions 19 and has a flap 46 hinged' to its lower margin for engagement in-the notches 25in the rear margins of said back portions :-(.Figs; 2, 5 and 6).. A pair of complementary or overlying panels 47 are hinged to the lateral margins of the I front panel .42 for overlying the back portions 23 of the "-side 'zpanels 26'and have connecting. tabs 48 and. 49 at .their'top and rear margins which are adapted to underlie and he confined by the top and rear panels 43 and the rear section 14. As shown by the numeral 56,

the lower margins of the overlying panels 47 are preferably inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the lower margin of the front panel 42 V The rear section lfijincludes a'rect'angular back panel 51 overlying-the rearlmarginsof the back portions 19 'ofth'e reinforcing-themberslS below the rear panel 44 ofthe back section12. A'rectangularbottom panel 52 is hinged to the lower margin of the back pane1'51, be- .ing interposed between the lower margins-0f the seat porlateral margin of the end panel 37 and a fiap 57 is hinged to the rear margin of said seatportion'for underlying the adjacentlateral margin of the back panel 51," As shown in Figs. land 7, the flap 57 is secured by stitching, staples or other suitable means 58 ito;the back paneL;

' It is pointed out that sealing tape may be used. in place of the stitching or staples 55 and 5. 8. With this arrangement, the front, side and rear sections have only two parts .or may be formed from two blanks. Qnly oneof the margins of the front and back panels ,37 51 are er;- posed and the unfinished edges thereof may be .bound or concealed by suitable means; such as, sealing tape.

'Sincethe exposedmargins 41 and as well as the lateral margins of the top panel 43, rear panel 44 and, back panel 51 are out of the way and not exposed to contact with the person using the chair, thesaine should not injure the person or clothing. A smooth finished 'joint is provided between the seat and end panels 36 and 37 and between said seat panel-and the side panels 26.; Due to the provision of the overlying panels 47,'theback portion of the chair'has no unfinishedfedges subject to contact with the prior to cutting and scoring 'so as to reduce :the cost of.

manufacture... a

It is noted that the chair is adaptedgto be constructed of only;seven parts and that four of said parts are identical.- As shown in Fig. 3,-the'chairis readily assembled and disassembled and the various parts ofsaid chair cotionsQlS" and the bottom panels 33 of the side sections 1 '-13, and has therear brace element 17 hinged to' its front endjwhereby said. brace 'element is made integral with and forms apart of'the rear section 14 (Figs. 3 and 7).

V 'For connecting the upper margin of. the back panel '51 the front panel 42 overlies and conceals the rearmargin to the back portions 19 0f the reinforcing .members,'a

flap,53 ishinged to said panel and'is adapted to be engagedzinthe notches25 in contiguous relationto the It isnoted that the flap 53' as well as the flaps .45 and46 functionas reinforcing members or brace ele- :nients for'holding the back portions of the reinforcing. {members in spacedrelation and 'that said'fl'aps may benotched or slotted for nesting'or. interlocking engagement act to hold; one. another in position :For example,';the outer bottom panels 33 overlie and hold the bottom panels 38 and '52 in ,position, ,the outer? seat' panel'36 overlies and holds the seat panels 30 in position andtheflap 45; of

of said seat panel- 36. Also, the back portions 28 of the side panels 26:are concealed and held in place by the overlying' panels 47. Manifestly, the chair is, of sturdy, durable construction and iscapable of withstanding reasonable abuse, as well as hard wear." Due toits simplicity of construction and ease of' assembly, the chair is adapted to be shipped and sold. inaknockeddown condition for erection bythe purchaser. Byduplicating the flaps 54 and withzthe notches 24 and 25. The back panel 51 overlies and confines the lower flaps 49 gof'the panel 47in engagement with the rear-"marginsof the adjacent back portions19and28. j J 7 M In order to reduce the cost of manufacture and facilitate f the assembly of 'therchair, it is essentialthat' the same be constructed of a number or parts.

-Although1 it is possible toform the front, side and back sections 1 1-, 13 and 14 from a single blank and have onlybne joint, existing machines do not have the capacity 57 on the margins of the side panels 26, the exterior sections of the chair may be'formed separately.

I The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as'in the details'of theaillus't'rated construction may be made, within the scope of the;appended claims,'withont departing from the spirit oftheinvention. What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1'. A chair constructed of stiff sheet material including upright angular reinforcing members having back'and seat portions, upright brace elements transversely inter- For connecting these secting and holding the seat portions of the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, a coextensive seat panel overlying and supported by the seat portions of said reinforcing members, an upright coextensive end panel overlying the front margins of the seat portions of said members and integral with the seat panel, a one-piece back section overlying the front, top and rear margins of the back portions of said members, a pair of upright angular side panels having back and seat portions enclosing the sides of the chair, an upright rear panel overlying the rear margins of said back portions of said members below the back section, and horizontal bottom panels underlying said seat portions of said members and integrally connecting the upright brace elements to the upright end and rear panels, said back section being coextensive With said back portions of said members at their flout margins and terminating above the lower ends of their rear margins, said back section and rear panel having integral flaps at their adjacent margins transversely intersecting and holding said back portions of said members in spaced relationship, said side panels having upper and lower panels formed integrally therewith, said upper panels underlying said seat panel and said lower panels underlying said bottom panels.

2. A chair having back and seat portions and constructed of stiff sheet material including a pair of upright angular side panels having back and seat portions, a front section having integral seat and upright end panels, a back section having integral upright front, top and upright rear panels, the seat and upright front panels of the front and back sections having flaps overlying the side panels for connection therewith, upright angular reinforcing members having back and seat portions between said side panels, upright brace elements transversely intersecting and holding the seat portions of the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, a rear section having an upright back panel below the upright rear panel of the back section and an integral horizontal bottom panel underlying the angular reinforcing members, the front section having an integral horizontal bottom panel underlying said angular members, the brace elements being integral with the bottom panels of the rear and front sections, the front and seat panels of said back and front sections respectively overlying and being coextensive with the back and seat portions of said members, the end panel of said front see tion overlying and being coextensive with the front margins of said seat portions of said members, the rear panel of said back section overlying the rear margins of said back portions of said members and terminating above the lower ends thereof, the back and rear panels of said back and rear sections having integral flaps at their adjacent margins intersecting and holding said back portions of said members in spaced relationship, said side panels having upper and lower panels formed integrally therewith, said upper panels underlying said seat panel and said lower panels underlying said bottom panels.

3. A chair constructed of stiff sheet material including upright angular reinforcing members having back and seat portions, upright brace elements transversely intersecting and holding the seat portions of the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, a coextensive seat panel overlying and supported by the seat portions of the reinforcing members, an upright coextensive end panel overlying the front margins of the seat portions of said reinforcing members and integral with the seat panel, a onepiece back section overlying the front, top and rear margins of the back portions of said members, a pair of upright angular side panels having back and seat portions enclosing the sides of the chair, an upright rear panel overlying the rear margins of said back portions of said members below the back section, bottom panels underlying said seat portions of said members and integrally connecting the brace elements to the end and rear panels, said back section being coextensive with said back portions of said members at their front margins and terminating above the lower ends of their rear margins, and integral flaps at the adjacent margins of said back section and rear panel transversely intersecting and holding said back portions of said members in spaced relationship, said side panels having upper and lower panels formed integrally therewith, said upper panels underlying said seat panel and said lower panels underlying said bottom panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,712,412 Westerman May 7, 1929 1,930,173 Lauth et al Oct. 10, 1933 2,031,477 Gianninoto et a]. Feb. 18, 1936 2,049,659 Parrott Aug. 4, 1936 2,313,362 Rous Mar. 9, 1943 2,806,514 Smith Sept. 17, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,200 Canada Jan. 21, 1956 

